North Rift farmers protest over plans to introduce genetically modified crops
A healthy maize crop in a farm in Uasin Gishu County. A new initiative targeting 13 counties rolled out to reduce crop diseases and increase food production. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Justus Lavi Mwololo said the government needs to do more research on the crops before allowing Kenyan farmers to grow them.
- Mr Mwololo said the genetically modified ones pollinate more compared to the natural crops.
- He warned that introducing genetically modified foods would negatively impact on the production of natural crops.
- He asked the State to careful re-examine its position.
Farmers in North Rift Monday held a peaceful demonstration on the Iten-Eldoret road to protest over the planned introduction of genetically modified crops.
Irate protestors walked on the streets of Eldoret Town waving anti-GMOs placards.
“Studies have linked the foods to cancer. Keep the ban on,” read one placard.
The Kenya Small Scale Farmers Forum National Secretary-General Justus Lavi Mwololo said the government needs to do more research on the crops before allowing Kenyan farmers to grow them.
FIGHT FOR RIGHTS
He said their main concern is about the effects of GMOs on natural crops.
Mr Mwololo said the genetically modified ones pollinate more compared to the natural crops.
The official said together with the Kenya Bio Diversity Coalition, they would fight for the rights of farmers.
Mr Jeremiah Kering, the chairman of Ngoma (Ng’ombe na Mahindi) farmers’ association said they totally disagree with the introduction of the crops.
Speaking in Eldoret last week during a sensitisation meeting for farmers from six agricultural counties in the North Rift region, Mr Mwololo warned that introducing genetically modified foods would negatively impact on the production of natural crops.
He asked the State to careful re-examine its position.
